Page 80

“Are you going to be sick?” Alicia asked.

Jane shook her head. “I do not think so. The first few weeks were the worst. Now, it is more the suggestion of sickness, as though he must remind his mother of his existence from time to time.”

“I shall be having stern words when I meet him,” Alicia said heatedly.

Jane smiled at her. “You and the Duke seem to be getting along very well, considering.”

“Considering what?”

Jane turned to her in surprise. “It was not so very long ago that you were adamant it would never last. And now he looks at you as if you are the sun itself.”

Alicia fidgeted awkwardly. “He does nothing of the sort.”

Jane chuckled, fanning herself with her hand. “And you could hardly take your eyes off him during supper.”

“Nonsense,” Alicia scoffed, walking to the fireplace for want of something to do.

She jabbed at the logs, which spat a rain of hot sparks that caught in the wind and were sucked upward into the chimney.

As the rattling of a tray could be heard, the door opened, and Rose came in. She set the tea tray down, with the usual plates of cake on all sides, before pouring them each a cup and heading to the door.

“Rose, would you please bring my sister a fan? She is feeling a little warm.”

The maid curtsied and left the room.

“Why are you looking so peevish?” Jane asked. “Are you angry with me for noticing that you like your husband?”

“I do not like him,” Alicia said firmly, but the words sounded hollow to her own ears.

When did I begin to care for him? How has this happened, when I know he will only ever see me as a means to an end?

To distract herself, she handed Jane a cup of tea and, on impulse, knelt on the floor, her skirts fanning out around her.

Jane laughed as Alicia rested her cheek against her belly and waited for the baby to move.

“He is sleeping, I think, from too much excitement. Are you bored with my company?”

“Exceedingly. I shall have better conversation with my nephew. And I look forward to corrupting him with books he should not read at a young age.”

Jane moved her hand to Alicia’s hair, idly running her fingers through it, and Alicia closed her eyes.

It had been a long time since they had sat together alone. She rested her head against Jane’s belly and imagined she could hear the faintest thud of a tiny heart inside.

“It will not be long before you experience this yourself, Sister,” Jane said gently.

Alicia swallowed. This time, the thought of carrying Seth’s child was not alarming. Rather, it filled her with anticipation.

CHAPTER 25

“Is the Earl of Sheringham at home?”

The butler took Seth’s card, glancing over it before stepping back and nodding his head.

“If you will give me a moment, Your Grace, I shall inform him of your arrival.”

“Thank you, I am happy to wait. He is not expecting me.”

“Very good, Your Grace.”